CORAM HOUSE by Bailey Seybolt

4* Decent read, but not what it felt marketed as via the blurb. Don't expect to like or feel sorry for Alex, though - you won't really get to know her. It's a mystery but not a thriller.

What we know about Alex, the story lead, is that she's widowed; was married to Adam; wrote a book that did well, then another that didn't; got some poor sod accused and imprisoned for the death of his sister, after their parents hired her investigative talents  only for new evidence of the actual bad guy to later emerge; had a book pulled because of her 'evidence' and now the washed-up (?) author is employed by a lawyer as his ghost writer for his book about Coram House, an abusive orphanage - because she's cheaper than others and possibly desperate because of her book's failure. And, she doesn't seem to eat, shower much or wash her clothes, but she does drink a fair bit. But, did I need to like her or be rooting for her to enjoy the storyline? Nope, because there was a mix of past and present, kids and evil nuns, memories, interviews, shady characters and something/one that didn't really go anywhere or need to be included, that intrigued me enough to want to find out if she solved the half-century-old mystery. And she got there, though she kind of still jumped the gun a little and...nope, not going to Spoiler.

Was it an enjoyable read? It was dark, slow and dreary but I was invested in finding out if poor Tommy ever got justice, and couldn't really put it down. Did I get all the answers I wanted? Nope. Did I feel justice was served? Yes, sort of. In a cold way, twinned with revenge. Did I end up liking Alex? No, she was too selfish and absorbed and didn't deserve Lola and Kay who left NY to stay with her for nearly 3 weeks when she needed someone. I think, sadly, she's damaged and in need of professional help. But, she's left this town reinvigorated and maybe she'll learn to start living again. 

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing UK and ANZ, for my reading pleasure.

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